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LADIES LOSE NARROWLY IN NORWAY

NORTHERN Ireland narrowly lost 2-0 to Norway in their UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifier this evening in Sarpsborg.

Alfie Wylie's side succumbed to a couple of late goals in the final quarter-of-an-hour following a superb performance against their #13 ranked hosts.

The opening goal, on 77 minutes, came when Northern Ireland were temporarily down to ten players as Alison Smyth was receiving treatment on the touchline.

Lene Mykjåland floated the ball over from a corner which evaded everyone and went in at the far post.

Norway's second arrived four minutes from time. Mykjåland was involved again when she laid the ball off for Maren Mjelde to flick it past 'keeper Kystal Parker.

Despite the result Norway didn't quite have it all their own way.

Indeed, Rachel Furness crafted the first effort of note on ten minutes when, from a corner, she headed narrowly over.

And just before Norway moved in front Simone Magill worked her way into the penalty area and despite coming under pressure from the defence still managed to test 'keeper Ingrid Hjelmseth with a shot on target.

Unfortunately the defeat leaves Alfie Wylie's side six points adrift of a potential play-off spot with two games remaining.

However, those two outings are against the sides directly above them in Group 3 - a trip to Iceland on September 16th before the campaign concludes with a home against Belgium three days later.